Grant
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Boice Creek is tributary to the Grant River about two miles above the mouth of the Grant. It is a spring and seepage stream that begins about three miles south of Lancaster (Smith and Ball, 1971). It has a drainage area of about 37.5 square miles and includes a number of smaller named streams. Recent and historical fisheries studies show the stream to be dominated by forage species with only an occasional smallmouth bass present. The topography of this sub-watershed is steeper than much of the rest of the watershed. This means there is a higher runoff potential in this sub-watershed. About 56% of the land area is used for cropping. Streambank erosion in the sub-watershed is a major source of sediment to the system (Bachhuber et.al., 1991). This stream suffers dissolved oxygen problems following high flow or rainfall events. The riparian vegetation along Boice Creek provides valuable wildlife habitat for species such as wood duck (Bachhuber et.al., 1991).
Date 2001
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
From: Smith, Tom D., and Ball, Joseph R., Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Grant County, Department of Natural Resources, 1972.Surface Area = 12.90 acres, Length = 13.3 miles; Gradient = 26 ft./mile, Flow = 11.6 c.f.s.
A spring and seepage stream that originates in the predominantly agricultural landscape three miles south of Lancaster. It flows in a southwesterly direction joining the Grant River two miles west of Potosi. Arrow Branch, its major tributary, enters from the east near the central portion of the stream. Boice Creek is characterized by long sluggish pools and heavy bank erosion. Several portions of the stream have been straightened in an effort to reduce the erosion problem. The fishery consists of a small population of small- mouth bass. Forage fish are abundant and rough fish are commonly found near the mouth. Wildlife in the area includes muskrats, raccoon, deer, rabbits, squirrels and an occas.ional puddle duck. A total of 14 dwellings is found along the stream and access is possible from the Grant River and nine bridge crossings.
Date 1972
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Boice Creek (956200) was assessed during the 2016 listing cycle; the regional biologist recommended listing for degraded biological community based on current and historical Poor mIBI scores. This water is considered impaired and not meeting its Fish and Aquatic Life use.
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
| Project Name (Click for Details) | Year Started |
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Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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| 956200 | Boice Creek | 10016318 | Boice - Old Potosi Rd. Upstream 25 Yds. | 5/21/1986 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 10010440 | Boice Creek - Boice Creek Remap 182-X | | | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 10010441 | Boice Creek - Boice Creek Remap 182-B | | | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 10020755 | Boice Creek-Off Reynolds Ridge Rd. | | | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 10037959 | Boice Creek at N. Dutch Hollow Road | 7/31/2012 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 223305 | Boice Creek - (Bridge) | 6/6/2003 | 6/6/2003 | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 223366 | Unnamed Creek - Unnamed Creek 1200-B | | | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 223217 | Boice Creek - Boice Cr. Rd. | 4/17/1980 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 223304 | Boice Creek - Boice Creek | 6/6/2003 | 6/6/2003 | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 10037889 | Boice Creek at CTH U | 10/8/2012 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 10016637 | Boice - Pikes Peak Rd. Upstream 25 Yds. | 5/21/1986 | 5/21/1986 | Map | Data |
| 956200 | Boice Creek | 223216 | Boice Creek - Reynolds Ridge Rd. | 4/17/1980 | 10/30/1980 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Boice Creek is located in the Lower Grant River watershed which is 129.75 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (56%), grassland (25.40%) and a mix of forest (16.50%) and other uses (1.90%). This watershed has 310.53 stream miles, 33.46 lake acres and 298.95 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.